A Thanksgiving Day morning run takes some guilt out of that second (or third) helping of turkey.

For many it was rise and shine on the national day of gluttony for the Turkey Trot, a four-mile run at Shelby Farms.

Thursday's race, the 26th annual Turkey Trot, raised $23,000 for the March of Dimes, an organization that works to prevent birth defects and infant mortality.

About 1,000 folks, a few sporting paper-feathered headdresses, trotted it up for the cause - and so they could chow down later.

Rachel Kesselman, who comes out every year with her mom, was all about munching on some pecan pie after the 4-mile run.

"It's a good time to spend with my family before we go gobble up on that food," she said.

Millie Katzen, Rachel's mom, said she likes to get in a good run on Thanksgiving before she goes home to cook.

"It's a tradition," she said. "Plus I can eat guilt-free."

Danny Fadgen was heading home to throw a turkey on the grill outside.

But before he did, he swapped recipes with a friend during the post-trot gathering.

"I probably didn't burn off enough calories to make up for what I'll eat," he said.

He's run the four miles for at least a decade, when a turkey actually trotted in the race.

"Well, it was a guy dressed as a turkey."

Linda Bryant pushed her year-old son, William, in a stroller.

It's a good way to start Thanksgiving Day, she said.

"Because I'm not filled with any guilt when I go home and stuff myself and relax the rest of the day."

Samantha Polly, 14, saw the Turkey Trot as a way to escape helping her mom cook in the hot kitchen.

She was supposed to bake a pie. But she had a plan.

The first 50 male and female winners took home a pumpkin pie.

"My mom said, 'If you win one, you don't have to bake one,'" she said.

"So I made sure I won a pie."